The
Presidents’ Leadership Award was created to recognize one boy and one girl
junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service
through their involvement with the Leadership Links program – a joint
initiative founded by the USGA and AJGA in 2005 to further develop junior
golfers through volunteerism. The recipients of the USGA-AJGA Presidents’
Leadership Award will be named on May 31.

Patrick
Cover, Huntersville, North Carolina (Class of 2014)

Cover
founded and organized the “Dormie Cup,” a golf tournament that benefitted the
First Tee Program of the Sandhills, the Wounded Warriors Fund and the AJGA ACE
Grant. Enlisting the help of his fellow junior players, he challenged the
golfers to raise a minimum of $1,000 to compete in the event. Cover oversaw
many aspects of the tournament, from finding a golf course to sending thank-you
notes. The first “Dormie Cup” in 2010 raised more than $10,000 and more than
$24,000 the following year. Other than organizing the golf tournaments, Cover
helped collect blue jeans through his school for less fortunate children in the
Aeropostale Jeans for Teens campaign.

Will
Mason, Upper Arlington, Ohio (Class of 2013)

Mason
was involved as a participant of two spring break mission trips to Tecate,
Mexico, through his community church. During the trip, Mason camped near the
site where he helped build homes for the less fortunate. He also assisted the
Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans in 2010 through the high school program.
Alongside his mission trip efforts, Mason helps raise money for the Honor
Flight Network to send veterans to visit war memorials in Washington D.C.

Brandon
Pierce, Covington, Louisiana (Class of 2013)

Pierce’s
humanitarianism began at an early age, as a young golfer on the Fore!Kids
Foundation Junior Tour. The lessons and values he received from the Louisiana
nonprofit inspired him to start “Brandon’s Birdies,” a program to raise money
to help underprivileged children in his local community. Through “Brandon’s
Birdies,” donors can pledge a dollar amount for every birdie or better he makes
during his regional and national tournaments. Over the last two years, Pierce
has raised more than $35,000 for local charities, including the Fore!Kids
Foundation.

Kelsey
Schultz, Columbus, Ohio (Class of 2013)

Schultz’s
admiration for war veterans inspired him to organize an annual Par-a-Thon for
the Honor Flight Network. The nonprofit organization sends World War II
veterans to visit the war memorial in Washington D.C. Schultz spent many hours
organizing all aspects of the event, recruiting his teammates to raise
donations for every par, birdie or eagle made throughout the tournament. His
dedication to the event led to more than $10,000 in donations within the first
two tournaments.

Jessica
Kittelberger, Raleigh, North Carolina (Class of 2014)

Kittelberger’s
philanthropic efforts stem from her appreciation of the North Carolina
Children’s Hospitals, where she was a patient for more than eight years.
Through her Golf for Promise tournament, Kittelberger boosted community
awareness with promotion on and off the golf course. She raised more than
$18,000 for the hospital within the last two years and hopes reach her goal of
$12,000 for 2012. Outside of her philanthropic events, Kittelberger served as Vice
President for the Environmental Conservation Organization, where she helped
raise money to save endangered species and raise awareness about environment
issues.

Divya
Manthena, Camarillo, California (Class of 2015)

When
Manthena learned about the natural disasters in Japan last year, she wanted to
use her golf game to help those in need. With help from her family, she founded
Krishak, a non-profit organization that raises money and creates awareness for
those facing hardship around the world. Manthena organized her first golf
tournament fundraiser for June 2011, in which the proceeds went to the American
Red Cross to help with Japan relief funds. Other than working with the Krishak
organization, Manthena volunteers at the Special Olympics weekly golf camp and
her Community’s Wellness Center.

Cassie
Wang, Lenexa, Kansas (Class of 2013)

Although
community service and volunteerism have always been a part of her life,
participation in a tournament near Joplin, Missouri, compelled Wang to lead
humanitarian efforts to support the area. Inspired by seeing the devastation
the tornados caused to the Joplin community in 2011, Wang chose to participate
in Birdies for Charity and raise nearly $1,000 to rebuild the area. After the
completion of Birdies for Charity, Wang’s desire to lead humanitarian projects
grew and she created the Youth Hope Fund. Through her efforts and leadership,
the fund has raised more than $6,000 to donate to the education of less
fortunate children in China.

About the USGA

The
USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as
10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and
international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game
worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status,
Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working
jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.

The
USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf
course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s
history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” charitable giving
program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used
on six continents in more than 50 countries.

The American Junior Golf Foundation is the primary recipient of all charitable giving to the AJGA and as such administers a variety of programs designed to compliment the AJGA and the members and families who make up our community. Learn more about these important programs and how your contributions to the Foundation secure the AJGA’s financial future for future generations to come.

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Leadership Links

What is Leadership Links?

Leadership Links is a new program whereby the AJGA is able to further its mission to help develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the AJGA youth development programs. Please click here to learn more about the program and the different opportunities available.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and
development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.